England vs South Africa: Springbok Dream Continues After the Greatest of Escapes

• South Africa have pulled off a great escape by recording their second one-point win in a row
• South Africa were behind for 77 minutes before Handre Pollard's penalty rescued victory
• Springboks go on to dream final against New Zealand while England are relegated to the playoff

South Africa is a rugby nation with fried nerves.

The national symbol of the Rainbow Nation performed a miracle in the final 15 minutes to squeak past an outstanding England.

The Springboks were behind for much of the game and England will be devastated at letting the lead slip after such hard work.

South Africa were a shadow of the team that beat France a week ago.

England were beating them at almost every breakdown, the lineouts were shaky and the performance was sluggish and disjointed.

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England earned an early lead and the Springboks were struggling to convert scoring opportunities.

Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber could sense things were amiss early, and sent a message by bringing on Handre Pollard for Manie Libbok just after the 25-minute mark.

The rain arrived in Paris to amplify the Springboks' woes as England adjusted better to the conditions.

One may question the wisdom of naming an unchanged team after such a physically draining match with France.

Damian Willemse had a poor evening, Jesse Kriel was a ghost and Kurt-Lee Arendse was neutralised by the England backs.

The reinforcements were on within 5 minutes of the second half and the arm-wrestle began to stabilise.

South Africans back home may have been guilty of thinking about a final with the All Blacks before having gotten past England, but it would be unthinkable to believe the players were guilty of the same.

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When Owen Farrell slotted a 40-meter drop-goal to make it 15-6 with 20 to go, that looked like the dagger to South Africa's hopes.

With 13 minutes to play, RG Snyman created and finished a series of phases to breathe life into the game. Ten minutes later, Ox Nche was instrumental in winning the penalty that Handre Pollard nailed from 50 meters away.

In the lead for the first time at 16-15, South Africa ground down the time to achieve a dramatic victory.

Speaking after the game, a relieved Pollard said:

"Its amazing. First the scrum penalty, that's a huge achievement by the guys. As for the kick, it's a big moment, but that's what you live for as a flyhalf at this level."

Titanic clash ahead

Sports Brief recently reported on how New Zealand became the first rugby nation to feature in five World Cup finals.

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The three-time champions booked their place in the final after they comprehensively beat Argentina 44-6.

The All Blacks will face South Africa in the final after the Springboks scraped past England by one point.